US7224946B2 - Flip electronic equipment - Google Patents

Flip electronic equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
US7224946B2
US7224946B2 US10/505,510 US50551004A US7224946B2 US 7224946 B2 US7224946 B2 US 7224946B2 US 50551004 A US50551004 A US 50551004A US 7224946 B2 US7224946 B2 US 7224946B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
printed wiring
wiring assembly
flexible substrate
enclosures
cylindrical member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US10/505,510
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20050159193A1 (en
Inventor
Tetsuya Kubo
Tsutomu Abe
Mamoru Yoshida
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Panasonic Holdings Corp
Original Assignee
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd filed Critical Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. reassignment MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ABE, TSUTOMU, KUBO, TETSUYA, YOSHIDA, MAMORU
Publication of US20050159193A1 publication Critical patent/US20050159193A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7224946B2 publication Critical patent/US7224946B2/en
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
    • H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
    • H04M1/0214—Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
    • H04M1/0216—Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1615—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
    • G06F1/1616—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
    • G06F1/1675—Miscellaneous details related to the relative movement between the different enclosures or enclosure parts
    • G06F1/1681—Details related solely to hinges
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
    • G06F1/1675—Miscellaneous details related to the relative movement between the different enclosures or enclosure parts
    • G06F1/1683—Miscellaneous details related to the relative movement between the different enclosures or enclosure parts for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/18—Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
    • E05D11/00—Additional features or accessories of hinges
    • E05D11/0081—Additional features or accessories of hinges for transmitting energy, e.g. electrical cable routing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2999/00—Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/725—Cordless telephones

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a foldable flip electronic device such as a mobile phone, PDA and others.
  • a first enclosure and a second enclosure are rotatably connected via bearings.
  • an electronic circuit in the first enclosure and an electronic circuit in the second enclosure are electrically connected with respect to each other.
  • the first and second cylindrical members have to be provided integrally with the first and second enclosures separately from the bearings respectively, and hence slight clearances are inevitably generated between the cylindrical members and the bearings. Therefore, when it is used in rain, rain water may enter through these clearances and may affect to the electrical circuits therein.
  • the present invention is intended to solve the problem described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a flip electronic device in which rain even when rain water enters therein to some extent, it is absorbed and hence an electric circuit is not affected thereby.
  • the present invention includes bearings for supporting first and second enclosures rotatably with respect to each other, cylindrical members formed integrally with the first and second enclosures respectively and coaxially with the bearings, and a flexible substrate inserted into the cylindrical member at the midsection thereof and electrically connected to the electronic circuits provided in the first and second enclosures respectively at both ends thereof, and at least one of the electronic circuits provided respectively in the first and second enclosures includes a printed wiring assembly whereof the ends are located at the position in the vicinity of the cylindrical member, the printed wiring assembly and the flexible substrate are connected electrically with respect to each other at the portion located in the vicinity of the cylindrical member of the printed wiring assembly, and the portion of the printed wiring assembly located in the vicinity of the cylindrical member is provided with a water-absorbing member for absorbing water-drops entered into the cylindrical member.
  • the present invention is configured in such a manner that the printed wiring assembly and the flexible substrate are detachably connected electromechanically with respect to each other with a connector provided on the portion of the printed wiring assembly located in the vicinity of the cylindrical member and a connector provided at the end of the flexible substrate, and the water-absorbing member is provided on the printed wiring assembly located in the vicinity of the cylindrical member opposing to the flexible substrate.
  • the printed wiring assembly and the flexible substrate can be electrically and detachably connected with each other and hence can be assembled easily.
  • rain water which may increase the possibility of corrosion and hence a contact failure when entered into the connector portion, is absorbed in advance by the water-absorbing member and hence does not reach the connector portion, whereby possibility of occurrence of such contact failure may be significantly reduced.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flip electronic device in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flip electronic device in an opened state according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a principal portion of the flip electronic device in the folded state according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the principal portion of the flip electronic device in the opened state according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a back view of a principal portion showing a state in which a first enclosure constituting the flip electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a front view of the principal portion showing a state in which a second enclosure is removed from the first enclosure constituting the flip electronic device in the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Reference numeral 1 designates a first enclosure
  • 2 designates a second enclosure
  • 3 a and 3 b designate bearings
  • 4 a and 4 b designate bearings
  • 5 a and 5 b designates shafts
  • 6 designates a navigation key
  • 7 designates a function key
  • 8 designates a ten key
  • 9 designates a transmitting unit
  • 10 designates an antenna
  • 11 designates a liquid crystal display unit
  • 12 designates a receiving unit
  • 13 designates a cylindrical unit
  • 14 designates a cylindrical unit
  • 15 designates a flexible substrate
  • 16 designates a connector
  • 17 designates a printed wiring assembly
  • 18 designates a connector
  • 19 designates a water-absorbing member
  • 20 designates water-absorbing member.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flip electronic device in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flip electronic device in an opened state according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a principal portion of the flip electronic device in the folded state according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the principal portion of the flip electronic device in the opened state according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a back view of a principal portion showing a state in which a first enclosure constituting the flip electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a front view of the principal portion showing a state in which a second enclosure is removed from the first enclosure constituting the flip electronic device in the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the flip electronic device includes a first enclosure 1 and a second enclosure 2 , the first enclosure 1 and the second enclosure 2 are rotatably supported by bearings 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , 4 b formed integrally with the first enclosure 1 and the second enclosure 2 , respectively.
  • the bearings 3 a , 3 b oppose to the bearings 4 a , 4 b , and they are connected by shafts 5 a , 5 b , respectively.
  • the present invention constitutes a flip mobile phone, in which the first enclosure 1 includes a navigation key 6 , other various function keys 7 , a ten key 8 , a transmitting unit 9 , and so on, and the second enclosure 2 includes an antenna 10 , a liquid crystal display unit 11 , and a receiving unit 12 .
  • the first and second enclosures 1 , 2 include upper enclosures 1 a , 2 a , and lower enclosures 1 b , 2 b respectively, the upper enclosures 1 a , 2 a and the lower enclosures 1 b , 2 b are formed integrally with arcuate members, respectively, which constitute cylindrical members 13 , 14 extending coaxially with the bearings 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , and 3 d .
  • the arcuate members are configured in such a manner that when they are connected respectively to the upper enclosures 1 a , 2 a and the lower enclosures 1 b , 2 b , respectively, so that the upper enclosures 1 a , 2 a are connected to the lower enclosures 1 b , 2 b , respectively, the arcuate members are abutted against each other so as to form the cylindrical members 13 , 14 .
  • a flexible substrate 15 is inserted into the cylindrical members 13 , 14 and the flexible substrate 15 electrically connects electric circuits provided on in the first and second enclosures 1 , 2 with respect to each other.
  • the flexible substrate 15 is electromechanically connected at one end to the electric circuit provided in the second enclosure 2 , by soldering or other methods, and the wound portion formed at the center section thereof is stored in the cylindrical members 13 , 14 .
  • the other end of the flexible substrate 15 is provided with a connector 16 , and the connector 16 is detachably attached to a connector 18 mounted to a printed wiring assembly 17 provided in the first enclosure.
  • the printed wiring assembly 17 extends at the end to the position opposing to the cylindrical members 13 , 14 in association with downsizing of the enclosure, and the connector 18 is mounted to the position in the vicinity of the end for the reason of wiring.
  • the portion of the printed wiring assembly 17 located nearer to the end than the portion opposing to the connector 18 is provided with water-absorbing members 19 , 20 having good water absorbing property on the front side and the back side thereof.
  • the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, and has a number of effects as described below.
  • the first and second enclosures 1 , 2 are rotatably mounted by the bearings 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , 4 b , and the flexible substrate 15 is stored in the cylindrical members 13 , 14 which extend coaxially with the bearings 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , 4 b electrically connecting between the first and second enclosures 1 , 2 , the flexible substrate 15 is not exposed to the outside, and hence the good appearance is achieved.
  • the clearances are formed inevitably between these members, and hence rain water may enter into the cylindrical members 13 , 14 through these clearances when used in the rain.
  • the printer wiring assembly 17 is provided with the water-absorbing members 19 , 20 at the position closer to the end than the connector 18 , even when rain water enters into the cylindrical members 13 , 14 , and is guided toward the printed wiring assembly 17 via the flexible substrate 15 , it is absorbed by the water-absorbing members 19 , 20 and the printed wiring assembly 17 and the connectors 16 , 18 are prevented from being affected in advance.
  • the connector 18 is used as in the present invention, when rain water enters therein, serious problems such as corrosion or the contact failure may be resulted.
  • contact failure due to such causes may advantageously be prevented in advance.
  • the flip mobile phone is exemplified as the flip electronic device in the present embodiment, it is not limited to the mobile phone, and may be a PDA, a personal computer, or other electric devices.
  • the water-absorbing member can be provided not only on the printed wiring assembly, but also at the position close to the cylindrical member of the flexible substrate or may be provided on both of them.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
  • Mounting Of Printed Circuit Boards And The Like (AREA)
US10/505,510 2002-02-25 2003-02-13 Flip electronic equipment Expired - Fee Related US7224946B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JPP.2002-048129 2002-02-25
JP2002048129A JP3943413B2 (ja) 2002-02-25 2002-02-25 折畳式電子機器
PCT/JP2003/001505 WO2003071844A1 (fr) 2002-02-25 2003-02-13 Equipement electronique repliable

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050159193A1 US20050159193A1 (en) 2005-07-21
US7224946B2 true US7224946B2 (en) 2007-05-29

Family

ID=27750729

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/505,510 Expired - Fee Related US7224946B2 (en) 2002-02-25 2003-02-13 Flip electronic equipment

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7224946B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1480502A4 (de)
JP (1) JP3943413B2 (de)
CN (1) CN1281105C (de)
AU (1) AU2003211506A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2003071844A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080146296A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Fujitsu Limited Electronic apparatus and enclosure therefor
US20120127044A1 (en) * 2009-08-07 2012-05-24 Panasonic Corporation Portable wireless device

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1328897C (zh) * 2003-12-23 2007-07-25 奇美通讯股份有限公司 掀盖式无线电手机
CN201392758Y (zh) * 2006-09-25 2010-01-27 捷讯研究有限公司 手持无线通信设备
JP6340582B2 (ja) * 2014-03-10 2018-06-13 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 食器洗い機

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4121160A (en) 1977-03-22 1978-10-17 Cataldo Thomas R Switch means for radio alarm device
US5227614A (en) 1986-08-15 1993-07-13 Norand Corporation Core computer processor module, and peripheral shell module assembled to form a pocket size data capture unit
JPH06201048A (ja) 1993-01-04 1994-07-19 Three Bond Co Ltd 組立用シール材及びその組立方法
JPH06268724A (ja) 1993-03-15 1994-09-22 Hitachi Ltd 携帯用折たたみ式電子機器
JPH07212051A (ja) 1994-01-25 1995-08-11 Hitachi Ltd 折たたみ式電子機器収容筐体
US5681176A (en) * 1994-12-05 1997-10-28 Nec Corporation Hinge connector suitable for use in a hinge portion included in an electronic device
US5933330A (en) 1998-05-14 1999-08-03 Motorola, Inc. Portable radiotelephone arrangement having a battery pack and a detachable battery
JP2002124779A (ja) 2000-10-13 2002-04-26 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 携帯型電子機器
JP2002134938A (ja) 2000-10-23 2002-05-10 Nec Saitama Ltd 折り畳み筐体構造
JP2002319771A (ja) 2001-04-19 2002-10-31 Nec Saitama Ltd 折り畳み式携帯通信端末機

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4121160A (en) 1977-03-22 1978-10-17 Cataldo Thomas R Switch means for radio alarm device
US5227614A (en) 1986-08-15 1993-07-13 Norand Corporation Core computer processor module, and peripheral shell module assembled to form a pocket size data capture unit
JPH06201048A (ja) 1993-01-04 1994-07-19 Three Bond Co Ltd 組立用シール材及びその組立方法
JPH06268724A (ja) 1993-03-15 1994-09-22 Hitachi Ltd 携帯用折たたみ式電子機器
JPH07212051A (ja) 1994-01-25 1995-08-11 Hitachi Ltd 折たたみ式電子機器収容筐体
US5681176A (en) * 1994-12-05 1997-10-28 Nec Corporation Hinge connector suitable for use in a hinge portion included in an electronic device
US5933330A (en) 1998-05-14 1999-08-03 Motorola, Inc. Portable radiotelephone arrangement having a battery pack and a detachable battery
JP2002124779A (ja) 2000-10-13 2002-04-26 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 携帯型電子機器
JP2002134938A (ja) 2000-10-23 2002-05-10 Nec Saitama Ltd 折り畳み筐体構造
JP2002319771A (ja) 2001-04-19 2002-10-31 Nec Saitama Ltd 折り畳み式携帯通信端末機

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080146296A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Fujitsu Limited Electronic apparatus and enclosure therefor
US8108015B2 (en) * 2006-12-15 2012-01-31 Fujitsu Limited Electronic apparatus and enclosure therefor
US20120127044A1 (en) * 2009-08-07 2012-05-24 Panasonic Corporation Portable wireless device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3943413B2 (ja) 2007-07-11
US20050159193A1 (en) 2005-07-21
JP2003249769A (ja) 2003-09-05
EP1480502A1 (de) 2004-11-24
CN1644002A (zh) 2005-07-20
AU2003211506A1 (en) 2003-09-09
EP1480502A4 (de) 2005-08-31
CN1281105C (zh) 2006-10-18
WO2003071844A1 (fr) 2003-08-28

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Effective date: 20150529